Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Mimecast
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales; Mimecast no pricing is published for any product or plan, and every route ends at a quote or demo request
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Mimecast covers Advanced threat detection.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Mimecast actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Mimecast |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $4/month |
| Pricing model | quote | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Email, Cloud, Collaboration |
| Founded | 1975 | 2003 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cybersecurity).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Threat & vulnerability management
- Attack surface reduction
- Next-gen protection
- EDR
- Auto investigation
- Microsoft Threat Experts
- Threat analytics
- Secure score
Only in Mimecast
- Advanced threat detection
- Secure sharing
- Email encryption
- Message tracking
- Email archiving
- Legal hold
- eDiscovery
- Backup and recovery
Both cover
- Microsoft 365
- ServiceNow
- ISO 27001
- HIPAA
- GDPR
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not Mimecast
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Mimecast
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Mimecast
Mimecast
- Email security filtering against phishing and targeted attacksnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Email archiving, continuity and compliance for organisationsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 and Plan 2 do not include server licenses; additional licensing required for server protection
- Specific feature differences between Plan 1 and Plan 2 require consulting Microsoft documentation
Mimecast
- No pricing is published for any product or plan, and every route ends at a quote or demo request
- The platform is split into separately sold products for email security, awareness training, data protection and governance
- Collaboration threat protection, DMARC analysis, incident response and email archiving are all further add ons on top of those
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Mimecast
$4/month- Defender$4/month
- Per user
- Threat protection
- Impersonation prevention
- Archive$3/month
- Email archiving
- Legal hold
- Search & recall
- Unified$6/month
- All Defender features
- All Archive features
- Backup
Which should you pick?
Choose Microsoft Defender for Endpoint if
- You need threat & vulnerability management.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- You also want attack surface reduction.
Choose Mimecast if
- You need advanced threat detection.
- You work on Email, Cloud, Collaboration.
- You also want secure sharing.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Mimecast better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Mimecast at $4/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Mimecast?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Mimecast at $4/month.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Mimecast run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Mimecast runs on Email, Cloud, Collaboration.
- What is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint best used for?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is most often used for enterprise endpoint security across windows, macos, linux, android, and ios via plans 1 or 2, small and medium-sized businesses using microsoft defender for business as alternative, organisations using microsoft 365 e5 which includes defender for endpoint plan 2. Of those, enterprise endpoint security across windows, macos, linux, android, and ios via plans 1 or 2 and small and medium-sized businesses using microsoft defender for business as alternative are not what Mimecast is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that Mimecast cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Mimecast covers Advanced threat detection, Secure sharing, Email encryption, Message tracking. Both handle Microsoft 365, ServiceNow, ISO 27001, HIPAA.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: How is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint priced?
Defender for Endpoint is bundled into Microsoft 365 enterprise subscriptions. Plan 1 is included in Microsoft 365 E3, and Plan 2 is included in Microsoft 365 E5. Individual pricing is not published separately.
SourceMimecast: How much does Mimecast cost?
Mimecast does not publish pricing on its website. Customers must request a custom quote by contacting the sales team at +1 617 393 7000 or using the Get a Quote button.
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint offer a trial?
Yes. A free trial is available for prospective customers to test the product before committing to a subscription.
SourceMimecast: Is there a free trial of Mimecast?
Mimecast's trial and pricing options are not specified on the public website. Contact sales at +1 617 393 7000 or through their support portal at mimecastsupport.zendesk.com for trial availability.
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: What is the difference between Plan 1 and Plan 2?
Plan 1 (in E3) includes unified security tools, device controls, network protection, firewall, web/URL controls, APIs, SIEM connectors, and app controls. Plan 2 (in E5) adds endpoint detection and response, deception techniques, automatic attack disruption, exposure management, and threat intelligence.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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